Monday practice: Notes here and there ...

Back from the opening half-hour of Monday night's practice, as USF has started normal game-week preparations for Saturday's season opener against mighty Tennessee-Martin. A few notes ...

-- Some of the freshmen held out last week look to have been cleared by the NCAA, as cornerback John Lejiste and linebacker LaDre Watkins are back out practicing with their teammates. Cornerback George Baker and tight end Andreas Shields are still being held out, and I didn't see linebacker Quavon Taylor at all. Theo Wilson, who had been practicing but didn't have everything resolved academically, was on the sidelines tonight.

-- Three new freshman walk-ons have joined the team because rosters can expand beyond 105 players now that school has started. We've already told you about all three -- quarterback Tyler Stowell from St. Petersburg Northside Christian, defensive lineman Lou Alguadich from Fort Myers and linebacker Chris Breit from Plant. Still could be a few more joining the team in the next few days. ...

-- It's also worth noting that sophomore running back Aston Samuels was at practice Monday, the first time I've seen him this fall. Samuels is rehabbing a severe shoulder injury and likely to miss the entire season, but this was the first time he's been even a spectator at practice. ... Defensive tackle Cory Grissom is still out with a sprained ankle, and offensive guard Jeremiah Warren was still watching as well.

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